Enabling multiple numerologies in a network

Abstract

There is presented a method for enabling multiple numerologies in a network. The method is performed by a user equipment (UE) and comprises receiving system information in a first search space on a broadcast channel with a first numerology, determining a second search space from the received system information, and receiving further information in the second search space with a second numerology. A UE, a base station, a computer program, and a computer program device are also presented.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for enabling multiple numerologies corresponding to different subcarrier spacings in a wireless network, the method being performed by a user equipment (UE) and comprising:
 determining, based on a carrier frequency used by a base station of the wireless network, a first numerology to use for receiving a broadcast channel transmitted by the base station; 
 receiving the broadcast channel according to the first numerology, wherein a time-domain placement of the broadcast channel is determined by the first numerology; 
 determining, from system information provided on the broadcast channel, a common search space and a second numerology used by the base station for transmitting control information in the common search space, the second numerology different than the first numerology; 
 receiving, according to the second numerology, a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in the common search space; and 
 determining, from further system information provided on the PDCCH, an additional search space for receiving a further PDCCH. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the further PDCCH is associated with a third numerology that is different from the second numerology. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising receiving the further PDCCH in the additional search space and obtaining corresponding control information therefrom. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising receiving synchronization information for the broadcast channel, prior to receiving on the broadcast channel. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the broadcast channel is received by the UE in a first subcarrier region, the PDCCH is received in a second subcarrier region that contains the common search space, and the further PDCCH is received in a third subcarrier region that contains the additional search space. 
     
     
       6. A method for enabling multiple numerologies corresponding to different subcarrier spacings in a wireless network, the method being performed by a base station (BS) and comprising:
 transmitting a broadcast channel via a carrier having a carrier frequency, the broadcast channel transmitted using a first numerology that is associated with the carrier frequency and providing system information indicating a common search space and a second numerology that is different than the first numerology, wherein a time-domain placement of the broadcast channel is determined by the first numerology; and 
 transmitting a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for a user equipment (UE), the PDCCH transmitted in the common search space using the second numerology and providing further system information indicating to the UE an additional search space for transmitting a further PDCCH for the UE. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising transmitting the further PDCCH for the UE in the additional search space, using a third numerology that is different than the second numerology. 
     
     
       8. A user equipment (UE) supporting multiple numerologies corresponding to different subcarrier spacings in a wireless network, the UE comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory storing computer program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the UE to:
 determine, based on a carrier frequency used by a base station of the wireless network, a first numerology to use for receiving a broadcast channel transmitted by the base station; 
 receive broadcast channel according to the first numerology, wherein a time-domain placement of the broadcast channel is determined by the first numerology; 
 determine, from system information provided on the broadcast channel, a common search space and a second numerology used by the base station for transmitting control information in the common search space, the second numerology different than the first numerology; 
 receive, according to the second numerology, a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in the common search space; and 
 determine, from further system information providing on the PDCCH, an additional search space for receiving a further PDCCH. 
 
 
     
     
       9. A base station (BS) supporting multiple numerologies corresponding to different subcarrier spacings in a wireless network, the BS comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory storing computer program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the BS to:
 transmit a broadcast channel via a carrier having a carrier frequency, the broadcast channel transmitted using a first numerology that is associated with the carrier frequency and providing system information indicating a common search space and a second numerology that is different than the first numerology, and wherein a time-domain placement of the broadcast channel is determined by the first numerology; and 
 transmit a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for a user equipment (UE), the PDCCH transmitted in the common search space using the second numerology and providing further system information indicating to the UE an additional search for transmitting a further PDCCH for the UE.